To most of us, the word “opera” conjures up bored and wealthy patrons, in black tie or pearls, suffering through incomprehensible screeches: in short, nothing like a good time.

She wants a new car. And in getting a new car, she finds a new life.

Though it has been 37 years since Moses Pendleton, co-founder of Pilobolus Dance Theater, created MOMIX, the company of self-described dancer-illusionists, they continue to be in a league of their own in terms of true dance innovation, as proven in their recent performance of “Opus Cactus” at the Wharton Center in Lansing.

There is no art form better suited to expressing romantic love than classical ballet. And in “Wild Sweet Love,” Grand Rapids Ballet’s glorious season opener, the company shows its range and skill as an ensemble as well as tremendous individual artists exploring the many facets of romance and ballet itself.